Budding entrepreneurs in the Cairns area received a significant boost today with the Turnbull Government announcing Ms Tara Diversi as the new Entrepreneurship Facilitator for Cairns.

Minister for Employment Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said as a Cairns resident, Ms Diversi would provide valuable knowledge to locals looking to start their own business.

“Self-employment and entrepreneurship are fantastic options for young people who are unemployed. Entrepreneurship Facilitators will work on the ground to help support young people to develop their ideas into a business,” Minister Cash said.

Member for Leichhardt, the Hon Warren Entsch MP, welcomed the announcement of Ms Diversi to the role.

“Ms Diversi has extensive practical experience as a facilitator working with young people – this new position will greatly assist in building networks with schools, colleges and business advisory services,” Mr Entsch said.

“Entrepreneurship Facilitators provide a unique opportunity to connect young people with existing local services and programs and provide one-on-one support to overcome barriers preventing them from commencing their own business.”

“Entrepreneurship Facilitators give young Australians the chance to consider self-employment as a real option. Ms Diversi is a proven innovator, with strong regional and community knowledge of start-up business development.”

“Research shows that many young job seekers have promising business ideas, but lack the capacity and support to develop these ideas into a successful business.”

Entrepreneurship Facilitators have been appointed in three regions with high youth unemployment and low uptake of self-employment by youth: Cairns, Hunter Valley and Launceston (encompassing North East Tasmania).